Back to EveryPatent.com
United States Patent |
5,662,221
|
Abidin
,   et al.
|
*
September 2, 1997
|
Low-cost safe blade package for surgical purposes
Abstract
A blade package for a surgical scalpel includes a base supporting a blade
and retaining the blade against movement in the package, thereby
preventing inadvertent dulling of the blade, and a thin film is bonded to
the base and covers the blade. This film has a tab for rupturing the film
and tearing it away from the base, thereby exposing the blade for
subsequent mounting on to the scalpel handle. Preferably, the film is
transparent, so that the blade is visible within the blade package.
Inventors:
|
Abidin; Michael R. (Birmingham, AL);
Lehmbeck; Steven P. (Baltimore, MD)
|
Assignee:
|
Bloom & Kreten (Towson, MD)
|
[*] Notice: |
The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to May 18, 2014
has been disclaimed. |
Appl. No.:
|
547685 |
Filed:
|
October 19, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: |
206/354; 206/352 |
Intern'l Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Field of Search: |
206/352-360,363-365,438,439
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1167464 | Jan., 1916 | Young.
| |
1448305 | Mar., 1923 | Langbein | 30/339.
|
1608274 | Nov., 1926 | Grayson.
| |
2131358 | Sep., 1938 | Rothschild | 30/125.
|
2866542 | Dec., 1958 | Svirchev | 206/63.
|
3447181 | Jun., 1969 | Coker et al. | 15/104.
|
3543918 | Dec., 1970 | Waterman | 206/16.
|
4095691 | Jun., 1978 | Iten | 206/354.
|
4106620 | Aug., 1978 | Brimmer et al. | 206/363.
|
4120397 | Oct., 1978 | Neumann | 206/370.
|
4157758 | Jun., 1979 | Kozlowski, Jr. | 206/363.
|
4180162 | Dec., 1979 | Magney | 206/363.
|
4270416 | Jun., 1981 | Thompson | 81/3.
|
4344532 | Aug., 1982 | Eldridge, Jr. et al. | 206/370.
|
4395807 | Aug., 1983 | Eldridge, Jr. et al. | 29/239.
|
4523679 | Jun., 1985 | Paikoff et al. | 206/370.
|
4730376 | Mar., 1988 | Yamada | 29/239.
|
4736842 | Apr., 1988 | Uetake et al. | 206/363.
|
4746016 | May., 1988 | Pollak et al. | 206/356.
|
4903390 | Feb., 1990 | Vidal et al. | 29/239.
|
4998334 | Mar., 1991 | Pemberton et al. | 206/359.
|
5088173 | Feb., 1992 | Kromer et al. | 206/370.
|
5301807 | Apr., 1994 | Donahue | 206/370.
|
5361902 | Nov., 1994 | Abidin et al. | 206/370.
|
5363958 | Nov., 1994 | Horan | 206/356.
|
5433321 | Jul., 1995 | Abidin et al. | 206/354.
|
Other References
Photocopies (front and back) of product packaging for "X-ACTO" No. 11 Fine
Point Blade Safety Dispenser.
|
Primary Examiner: Foster; Jimmy G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bloom; Leonard
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
08/435,668 filed May 5, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,811, which, in turn, is
a division of application Ser. No. 245,009 filed May 18, 1994 (the latter
application having issued on Jul. 18, 1995 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,321.
Claims
We claim:
1. A blade package for a blade used for surgical purposes, wherein the
blade is intended to be mounted on the cleat of a scalpel handle, and
wherein the blade is provided with a slot having a forward portion and is
further provided with a tip and a cutting edge, comprising
a base,
means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that the cutting
edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent contact with the
base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade package, and
a relatively-thin film secured to the base and covering the blade, the film
being provided with at least a frangible portion, such that the film may
be torn away or lifted up and away from the base to expose the blade, such
that the cleat on the scalpel handle may be inserted into the slot in the
blade to mount the blade on the scalpel handle, and such that the blade
mounted on the scalpel handle may be lifted out of the base of the blade
package.
2. The blade package of claim 1,
wherein the means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that
the cutting edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent
contact with the base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade
package, comprises
an upstanding pin on the base, and
the blade having a hole formed therein to receive the pin.
3. The blade package of claim 2,
wherein the hole in the blade is disposed between the tip of the blade and
the forward portion of the slot in the blade.
4. The blade package of claim 2,
wherein the blade further has a rear portion, and
wherein the base has a rear end wall having a notch formed therein and
receiving the rear portion of the blade.
5. The blade package of claim 1,
wherein the film is transparent so that the blade is visible in the blade
package.
6. The blade package of claim 1,
further including a tab on the film, such that the tab may be gripped to
rupture the frangible portion of the film and lift it up and away from the
base to provide access to the blade.
7. The blade package of claim 2,
wherein the base has a peripheral rim, and
wherein the blade is disposed on the base below the rim.
8. The blade package of claim 2,
wherein the base has a bottom wall formed with an elevated cored-out
portion supporting the pin.
9. A blade package for a blade used for surgical purposes, wherein the
blade is intended to be mounted on the cleat of a scalpel handle, and
wherein the blade is provided with a slot having a forward portion and is
further provided with a tip and a cutting edge, comprising
a base,
means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that the cutting
edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent contact with the
base during shipment storage or handling of the blade package, and
a relatively-thin film secured to the base and covering the blade, the film
being provided with at least a frangible portion, such that the film may
be torn away or lifted up and away from the base to expose the blade, such
that the cleat on the scalpel handle may be inserted into the slot in the
blade to mount the blade on the scalpel handle, and such that the blade
mounted on the scalpel handle may be lifted out of the base of the blade
package,
wherein the means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that
the cutting edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent
contact with the base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade
package, comprises,
an upstanding pin on the base, and
the blade having a hole formed therein to receive the pin,
wherein the blade further has a rear portion, and
wherein the base has a rear end wall having a notch formed therein and
receiving the rear portion of the blade, further including an interference
fit between the pin and the hole, and between the notch and the rear
portion of the blade, respectively, such that the blade is received on the
base with a "snap" fit.
10. A blade package for a blade used for surgical purposes, wherein the
blade is intended to be mounted on the cleat of a scalpel handle, and
wherein the blade is provided with a slot having a forward portion and is
further provided with a tip and a cutting edge, comprising
a base,
means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that the cutting
edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent contact with the
base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade package, and
a relatively-thin film secured to the base and covering the blade, the film
being provided with at least a frangible portion, such that the film may
be torn away or lifted up and away from the base to expose the blade, such
that the cleat on the scalpel handle may be inserted into the slot in the
blade to mount the blade on the scalpel handle, and such that the blade
mounted on the scalpel handle may be lifted out of the base of the blade
package,
wherein the base has respective sides which are indented concavely therein
and provided with respective serrations, thereby facilitating gripping of
the base.
11. A blade package for a blade used for surgical purposes, wherein the
blade is intended to be mounted on the cleat of a scalpel handle, and
wherein the blade is provided with a slot having a forward portion and is
further provided with a tip and a cutting edge, comprising
a base,
means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that the cutting
edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent contact with the
base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade package, and
a relatively-thin film secured to the base and covering the blade, the film
being provided with at least a frangible portion, such that the film may
be torn away or lifted up and away from the base to expose the blade, such
that the cleat on the scalpel handle may be inserted into the slot in the
blade to mount the blade on the scalpel handle, and such that the blade
mounted on the scalpel handle may be lifted out of the base of the blade
package,
wherein the base has a bottom wall, and
wherein a longitudinally-disposed panel depends from the base centrally
thereof, such that the panel may be gripped between a person's thumb and
forefinger while rupturing the film and subsequently mounting the blade on
the cleat of the scalpel handle.
12. The blade package of claim 11,
wherein the panel is connected to the bottom wall of the base by a "living"
hinge, such that the panel may be folded for compactness in shipping.
13. A blade package for a blade used for surgical purposes, wherein the
blade is intended to be mounted on the cleat of a scalpel handle, and
wherein the blade is provided with a slot having a forward portion and is
further provided with a tip and a cutting edge, comprising
a base,
means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that the cutting
edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent contact with the
base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade package, and
a relatively-thin film secured to the base and covering the blade, the film
being provided with at least a frangible portion, such that the film may
be torn away or lifted up and away from the base to expose the blade, such
that the cleat on the scalpel handle may be inserted into the slot in the
blade to mount the blade on the scalpel handle, and such that the blade
mounted on the scalpel handle may be lifted out of the base of the blade
package,
wherein the means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that
the cutting edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent
contact with the base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade
package, comprises
an upstanding pin on the base, and
the blade having a hole formed therein to receive the pin,
wherein the pin on the base is provided with a cap and is further provided
with an annular shoulder below the cap,
wherein the notch has respective sides, and
wherein longitudinally-disposed ridges are formed on the respective sides
of the notch, such that the blade may be "snapped" over the annular
shoulder on the cap on the pin and over the respective ridges on the sides
of the notch, thereby retaining the blade against movement relative to the
base in the mutually-perpendicular X-Y-Z planes.
14. A blade package for a blade used for surgical purposes,
wherein the blade is intended to be mounted on the cleat of a scalpel
handle, and wherein the blade is provided with a slot having a forward
portion and is further provided with a cutting edge, comprising
a base,
means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that the cutting
edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent contact with the
base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade package,
a relatively-thin film secured to the base and covering the blade, the film
being provided with at least a frangible portion, such that the film may
be torn away and lifted up and away from the base to expose the blade,
such that the cleat on the scalpel handle may be inserted into the slot in
the blade to mount the blade on the scalpel handle, and such that the
blade mounted on the scalpel handle may be lifted out of the base of the
blade package;
wherein the means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring that
the cutting edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent
contact with the base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade
package, comprises an upstanding pin on the base,
the blade having a hole formed therein to receive the pin;
wherein the hole in the blade is disposed between the tip of the blade and
the forward portion of the slot in the blade;
wherein the blade further has a tip and a rear portion, and wherein the
base has a rear end wall having a notch formed thereon and receiving the
rear portion of the blade;
further including an interference fit between the pin and the hole, and
between the notch and the rear portion of the blade, respectively, such
that the blade is received on the base with a "snap" fit;
wherein the film is transparent so that the blade is visible in the blade
package; and
further including a tab on the frangible portion of the film, such that the
tab may be gripped to rupture the frangible portion of the film and lift
it up and away from the base to provide access to the blade.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
(Not applicable.)
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APENDIX SPECIFYING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MICROFICHE
AND TOTAL NUMBER OF FRAMES
(Not applicable.)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a package for a surgical scalpel blade
and, more particularly, to a blade package for safely mounting the blade
on a forwardly-extending cleat on the scalpel.
Surgical scalpel blades are usually packaged individually in an aluminum
foil wrap and are irradiated for sterilization purposes. The sterile foil
wrap is torn open in the operating room ("O.R.") in a hospital or clinic,
and the blade is removed and mounted on a surgical scalpel. The scalpel
has a forwardly-projecting portion (referred to in the art as a "cleat")
and this cleat is inserted within a longitudinal closed slot formed in the
blade, thereby mounting the blade on the scalpel. The blade is relatively
thin and flexible, the cleat on the scalpel has a groove to receive the
blade, and the mounting is with a slight "snap" fit or "click".
Some scalpel blades, which are used in microsurgery, are super sharp and
are packaged in a molded plastic package consisting of a base and a
pivoted cover.
The scalpel blades are usually changed several times during a medical
procedure in the O.R., since it is imperative that the sharpness of the
blades be maintained. The blades are usually changed by a nurse or O.R.
technician (called the "tech").
Whether the blade is packaged in an aluminum foil or in a molded plastic
package, the blade is removed therefrom; and during the blade mounting
process, the tech holds the scalpel in one hand and the blade in the other
hand and slips the blade on to the cleat on the scalpel. These blades are
roughly an inch to an inch-and-a-half long and (of course) are razor
sharp, so it is not at all uncommon for the tech to be nicked or cut while
mounting one of the blades, thereby causing blood flow.
If the patient is H.I.V.-infected, the tech may sero-convert and become
H.I.V.-infected leading to the deadly AIDS disease. Conversely, if the
tech is an H.I.V. carrier, the patient or the other health care providers
in the O.R. are at risk. The same is true with respect to hepatitis or
other infectious diseases.
The nurse or tech is very often under intense pressure in the O.R. and may
become temporarily distracted while in the process of changing blades.
This tends to aggravate the existing problem.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a safety
blade package for a surgical scalpel, thereby avoiding cuts or nicks when
installing a new blade on the scalpel.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a safety blade
package that may be manufactured conveniently and at relatively low cost,
thereby facilitating widespread marketing and distribution.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a safety blade
package that is "user friendly" so that the hospital nurses and O.R. techs
will immediately understand the use thereof and will readily appreciate
its ease, convenience and safety features.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a blade package
for safely mounting a blade on a surgical scalpel is herein disclosed and
claimed, wherein the blade includes a cutting edge and further includes a
body portion having a slot formed therein, the body portion having a rear
end portion, and wherein the scalpel has a forwardly-projecting cleat
received within the slot in the blade. The blade package includes a base
having a ledge supporting the rear end portion of the blade. The blade
further has a hole formed therein; and the base further has an upstanding
pin received in the hole in the blade, thereby mounting the blade on the
base and preventing substantial movement of the blade within the package,
and thereby preventing any inadvertent dulling of the cutting edge on the
blade. As a result, the cleat on the scalpel may be inserted within the
slot on the blade; and the scalpel with the blade mounted thereon may be
lifted up and away from the base, thereby clearing the hole in the blade
from the pin on the base.
Preferably, a cover is pivotably mounted on the base. The cover has a pivot
axis which is substantially perpendicular to the pin and spaced therefrom;
and the cover extends partially over the base, substantially covering the
cutting edge of the blade, and exposing the slot formed within the blade,
such that the cover is pivoted away from the base as the scalpel with the
blade thereon is lifted away from the base.
In a preferred embodiment, the cover is transparent, such that the cutting
edge on the blade is visible through the cover; and the cover carries a
cushion bearing against the blade.
The ledge on the base supporting the rear end portion of the blade is
canted downwardly in a direction towards the pin, such that the blade is
inclined with respect to the base, thereby facilitating the insertion of
the cleat on the scalpel into the slot on the blade. Preferably, the base
is provided with a pair of spaced-apart raised lands, one on each side of
the ledge on the base.
The present invention also provides an improved surgical blade comprising a
main body portion having an elongated slot formed therein, a tip and a
cutting edge, the elongated slot having a narrowed forward portion, and a
hole formed in the blade between the tip and the narrowed forward portion
of the elongated slot.
Viewed in another aspect, the present invention provides an improved method
of mounting a blade on a surgical scalpel, wherein the scalpel has a
forwardly-extending cleat. A sterile blade package is opened to obtain a
blade package assembly; and this blade package assembly includes a base
having a blade mounted thereon. The blade has a main body portion provided
with a longitudinal slot, and the blade further has a tip and a cutting
edge. The base is provided with a pivoted cover covering at least the tip
of the blade. The cleat on the scalpel is inserted into the longitudinal
slot in the blade, so that the blade is "snapped" on to the cleat; and the
scalpel with the blade mounted thereon is moved up and away from the base
to lift the cover and pivot it away from the base, thereby clearing the
scalpel with the blade thereon from the blade package assembly.
In accordance with the further teachings of the present invention, there is
herein disclosed a blade package for a blade used for surgical purposes,
wherein the blade is intended to be mounted on the cleat of a scalpel
handle, and wherein the blade is provided with a slot having a forward
portion and is further provided with a tip and a cutting edge. This blade
package includes a base, and means are provided on the base for supporting
the blade and assuring that the cutting edge on the blade will not become
dulled by inadvertent contact with the base during shipment, storage or
handling of the blade package. A relatively-thin film is secured to the
base and covers the blade; and this film is provided with at least a
frangible portion, such that the film may be torn away or lifted up and
away from the base to expose the blade. Thereafter, the cleat on the
scalpel handle may be inserted into the slot in the blade to mount the
blade on the scalpel handle, and the blade thus mounted on the scalpel
handle may be lifted out of the base of the blade package. The blade
package is then discarded.
Preferably, the means on the base for supporting the blade and assuring
that the cutting edge on the blade will not become dulled by inadvertent
contact with the base during shipment, storage or handling of the blade
package, comprises an upstanding pin on the base; and the blade has a hole
formed therein to receive the pin.
Preferably, the hole in the blade is disposed between the tip of the blade
and the forward portion of the slot in the blade.
Moreover, the base has a rear end wall having a notch formed therein, and
the blade further has a rear portion received within the notch.
In a preferred embodiment, an interference fit is provided between the pin
and the hole, and between the notch and the rear portion of the blade,
respectively, such that the blade is received on the base with a "snap"
fit.
The film is transparent, preferably, so that the blade is visible in the
blade package; and a tab is provided on the film, such that the tab may be
gripped to rupture the frangible portion of the film and lift the film up
and away from the base, thereby providing access to the blade.
The base has a peripheral rim, the blade is disposed on the base below the
rim, and the base has a bottom wall formed with an elevated cored-out
portion supporting the pin.
Preferably, the base has respective sides which are indented concavely
therein and provided with respective serrations, thereby facilitating
gripping of the base.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from
a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the
enclosed drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a sterile blade package protected by a
removable foil.
FIG. 2 is a further pictorial view, corresponding to FIG. 1, but showing
the foil being removed for access to the blade package assembly of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blade package assembly including a
base, a blade mounted on the base, and a partial cover pivotably mounted
on the base for protecting the blade.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken along the lines 4--4 of
FIG. 3 and drawn to an enlarged scale, and showing an upstanding pin on
the base, the pin being received within a hole in the blade, and further
showing the rear end portion of the blade supported upon a ledge on the
base, the blade preferably being inclined downwardly towards the pin.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken along the lines 5--5 of
FIG. 4 and showing how the cutting edge of the blade is maintained in a
spaced relationship at all times with the blade package assembly, thereby
precluding the blade from being dulled inadvertently.
FIG. 6 is a plan outline of the improved blade of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a pictorial view showing the cleat on the scalpel initially being
inserted into the slot on the blade.
FIG. 8 is a further pictorial view, corresponding substantially to FIG. 7,
but showing the cleat on the scalpel fully seated within the slot on the
blade.
FIG. 9 is a still further pictorial view, corresponding substantially to
FIG. 8, but showing the scalpel (with the blade mounted thereon) being
lifted up and away from the base, thereby pivoting the cover, and thereby
clearing the hole in the blade from the pin on the base.
FIGS. 10-12 are schematic sequence views, corresponding to FIGS. 7-9,
respectively, and showing how the blade may be safely and easily mounted
on the scalpel in a matter of seconds.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the lines 13--13 of FIG. 12
and drawn to an enlarged scale, and showing the detailed construction of
the slot in the blade and the cleat on the scalpel.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken along the lines 14--14 of
FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a pictorial view of a portion of FIG. 3, showing the cover as
preferably transparent.
FIG. 16 is a further pictorial view, showing how a plurality of blades may
be packaged in a single blade package, the package facilitating individual
blade selection and mounting.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the blade package of
the present invention, showing a frangible film bonded to the base of the
blade package, the film being partially torn away to show a portion of the
blade mounted on the base, and the film having a tab projecting rearwardly
of the package for tearing off the film from the base of the package.
FIG. 18 is a longitudinal section view thereof, taken along the lines
18--18 of FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the base only.
FIG. 20 is a side elevation view thereof.
FIG. 21 is an end view thereof.
FIGS. 22 and 23 are schematic sequence views, drawn to an enlarged scale,
and showing the hole in the blade being received over the pin on the base
with a slight interference fit.
FIGS. 24 and 25 are further schematic sequence views, drawn to an enlarged
scale, and showing the rear portion of the blade being received in the
notch of the rear end wall on the base with a slight interference fit.
FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a modified base, wherein the sides of the
base are indented concavely to facilitate gripping the base between the
thumb and forefinger.
FIG. 27 is a side elevation thereof, showing serrations or grooves on the
concave indents to facilitate gripping.
FIG. 28 is a further modification of the base, showing a depending panel
for alternate gripping of the base.
FIG. 29 is an end view thereof, showing the depending panel joined to the
base by a "living" hinge for compactness of the blade package in shipment
and storage.
FIG. 30 is a modification of the pin on the base, showing a "mushroom" cap
on the pin, thereby facilitating a "snap" fit.
FIG. 31 is a modification of the notch on the base, showing respective
protrusions to facilitate receipt of the base with a "snap" fit.
DESCRIPTION
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a sterile blade package 10 (FIG. 1) is wrapped
in an aluminum foil 11 which is torn open (FIG. 2) in the O.R. (or other
medical or hospital environment) to obtain the blade package assembly 12
of the present invention (FIG. 3).
With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the blade package assembly 12
preferably comprises a single molded article and includes a base 13 and a
cover 14 pivoted thereto by means of an integral reduced cross-section
"living" hinge 15. The cover 14 extends partially over the base 13 and,
preferably, the cover 14 is transparent (FIG. 15) along with the blade
package assembly 12.
A blade 16 is mounted on the base 13. As shown more clearly in FIG. 6, the
blade 16 has a main body portion 17 provided with a longitudinal slot 18.
This slot 18 includes a rearward portion 19 and a narrowed forward portion
20. The blade 16 further has a tip 21, a bottom cutting edge 22, a hole 23
between the tip 21 and the slot 20, and a rear end portion 24 beyond the
slot 20.
The base 13 has an upstanding pin 25 which is substantially perpendicular
to the pivot axis of the cover 14 and spaced therefrom. This pin 25 is
received in the hole 23 in the blade 16, thereby positioning the blade 16
on the base 13. The cover 14, in turn, is provided with a cushioned pad 26
of foam plastic (or other suitable material) to trap the blade 16 between
the base 13 and the cover 14.
The base 13 further has a ledge 27 supporting the rear end portion 24 of
the blade 16. Preferably, the ledge 27 is elevated so that the blade 16 is
canted downwardly, as shown more clearly in FIG. 4. The base 13 further
has a pair of spaced-apart raised lands 28 and 29, respectively, one on
each side of the ledge 27.
This arrangement prevents undesired movement of the blade 16 (which would
otherwise inadvertently dull the cutting edge 22 of the blade 16).
The operation of the invention and its inherent features and advantages are
illustrated in FIGS. 7-12, respectively.
The blade 16 is mounted on the forwardly-extending cleat 30 of a surgical
scalpel 31. Preferably (but not necessarily) the scalpel 31 is a guarded
surgical scalpel as disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,063
issued Oct. 5, 1993 and No. 5,275,606 issued Jan. 4, 1994 to the present
inventors (applicants). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, however, that the present invention is equally applicable to
conventional non-guarded scalpels, if desired.
As shown more clearly in FIGS. 7 and 10, the cleat 30 on the scalpel 31 is
initially inserted into the rearward portion 19 of the slot 18 in the
blade 16. The cleat 30 is then advanced forwardly such that the cleat 30
is fully seated within the slot 18 (which may be with a slight "click" or
"snap" fit) as shown more clearly in FIGS. 8 and 11. Thereafter, the
scalpel 31 with the blade 16 mounted thereon is lifted up and away from
the base 13 (FIGS. 9 and 12) to pivot the cover 14 away from the base 13
and, more significantly, to clear the hole 23 in the blade 16 from the pin
25 on the base 13.
The entire operation of thus mounting the blade 16 on the scalpel 31 is
easy and convenient, takes only a few seconds, and assures that the user
will not be cut or nicked accidentally.
With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the cleat 30 on the scalpel 31 has a
groove 32 formed therein to receive the slot 18 on the blade 16. These
blades 16 are in widespread use in hospitals and clinics. However, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is
not necessarily confined thereto but, rather, is equally applicable to
other surgical blade designs and configurations.
With reference to FIG. 16, the teachings of the present invention are
equally applicable to a multi-blade package 33 having a plurality of
blades 16 in a side-by-side relationship therein. This multi-blade package
33 would be contained in a single sterile package (not shown) which would
be opened in the O.R.
The surgical scalpel blades 16 are razor sharp and can become dulled very
quickly during a surgical procedure. It is important for the surgeon to
have a very sharp "fresh" blade readily available. During a typical
operation, the blades 16 may be changed around a half dozen times. This
invention assures that the blades 16 may be quickly, easily and safely
mounted on the scalpel 31 during the surgical procedure.
Moreover, it is significant that the blade does not move during the
mounting process (unlike the prior art razor blade dispensers and
injectors) and that the mounting of the blade involves basically two
steps: first, insertion of the scalpel and, second, lifting of the scalpel
(with the blade thereon) to pivot the cover and clear the blade package
assembly. This movement is foolproof, convenient, safe, takes only a few
seconds, and is readily understood by the O.R. techs, assistants and
surgeons.
As disclosed herein, the mounting of the blade on the scalpel is basically
a two-hand operation: one hand holding the blade package assembly 12, and
the other hand holding the scalpel 31. However, if desired, a ledge or
suitable mounting may be provided on the tray table (not shown) for
retaining the blade package assembly 12, so that only the scalpel 31 is
held. This is a one-hand operation.
With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the blade package 100 includes a base
101 supporting a blade 102, and a thin film 103 covers the blade 102 and
is bonded to the base 101 by a suitable known method, such as heat sealing
or ultrasonic welding. The film 103 is of polyethylene (or other suitable
material) and, preferably, is transparent so that the blade 102 is visible
in the package 100. The package 100, with the blade 102 therein, can be
sterilized by radiation or by gas (ethylene oxide) depending upon
manufacturing preferences.
The film 103 has at least a frangible portion and, preferably, a tab 104 is
formed integrally with the film 103 to facilitate rupturing or peeling off
the film 103 and lifting it up and away from the base 101. In this
embodiment of the invention, the tab 104 projects rearwardly of the base
101 and has a substantially triangular plan outline; however, other plan
outlines of the tab 104, as well as other means for tearing off or
rupturing the film 103, are feasible consonant with the teachings of the
present invention.
With reference to FIGS. 19-21, the base 101 is substantially rectangular or
obling (although other shapes are possible) and has side walls 105, 106
and end walls 107, 108, respectively, and a bottom wall 109. The bottom
wall 109 has an upstanding portion 110 (which, preferably, is cored out to
reduce material) and is provided with an upstanding integrally-formed pin
111; and the end wall 108 of the base 101 has a notch 112 formed therein.
The blade 102 has a rear portion 113 received in the notch 112 formed in
the end wall 108 of the base 101, and the blade 102 further has a hole 114
formed therein to receive the pin 111 on the base 101, as shown more
clearly in FIGS. 17 and 18. Preferably, the blade 102 is substantially
"straight" on the base 101, that is, substantially parallel to the bottom
wall 109, as shown in FIG. 18, although the blade 102 may be slightly
inclined in the package 100 (if desired).
With reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, the diameter of the pin 111 is greater
than the diameter of the hole 114 in the blade 102, such that the pin 111
is received in the hole 114 with a slight press-fit or interference fit.
Also, with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25, the rear portion 113 of the blade
102 is received in the notch 102 in the end wall 108 with a slight
press-fit or interference fit. The plastic material of the base 101 is
thereby distorted, somewhat, as the blade 102 is "popped" into the base
101 with a "snap" fit during the manufacturing process.
With reference to FIGS. 26 and 27, the respective side walls 105 and 106 of
the base 101 are indented concavely (FIG. 26) and these concave indents
115 and 116, respectively, are preferably formed with serrations or
parallel grooves 117 (FIG. 27) to facilitate gripping the base 101 between
the thumb and forefinger as the tab 104 is pulled to rupture the frangible
film 103 and lift it up and away from the base 101.
Thereafter, the blade 102 may be mounted on the scalpel handle in a manner
similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7-12 and, it will be appreciated, the
leverage exerted by the scalpel handle will cause the blade 102 to "pop"
out of the base 101 of the package 100.
The base 101 is a simple, lightweight low-cost molded plastic piece; and
the mold for the base 101 will not have any "side pulls", thereby reducing
the mold costs and the cycle time.
With reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, the base 101 may have a depending panel
118 for gripping purposes, if desired. If so, the panel 118 may be joined
to the base 101 by a "living" hinge 119, so that the panel 118 may be
folded up against the base for compactness in shipping and storage.
With reference to FIG. 30, and again if desired, the pin 111 may have a
"mushroom" cap 120 providing an annular shoulder 121, and with reference
to FIG. 31, the sides 122 of the notch 112 may have protrusions or ridges
123, to improve the interference fit.
With reference again to FIG. 18, the blade 102 is disposed below the
peripheral rim 124 of the base 101.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the blade packages
of the present invention are substantially safer, more convenient and
easier to use, and readily sterilizable. Moreover, the blade packages of
the present invention are less expensive to manufacture. This is
particularly the case with the improved blade package of FIGS. 18-27,
wherein the base is a simple low-cost moldment requiring no side pulls,
the blade is snapped into the base and is retained therein against
movement, and the film is disposed over the blade and is readily bonded to
the base. This film is transparent so that the blade is visible at all
times.
Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing from the basic
spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that within the scope of the appended claims, the
invention may be practiced other than has been specifically described
herein.
Top